Under the terms of the Panama Canal Treaty (implemented 1977), the US hands over control of the Canal at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1999. In preparation for this hand over, the Panamanian government has now leased the two most important ports -- one on each side of the canal -- to a company with strong political and commercial ties to Communist China. Doesn't this threaten US national security and economic interests? This story needs to be told NOW, before it's too late.